Bin Laden letter reveals strained relations between al-Qaeda and al-Shabaab

By Mahmoud Mohamed in Mogadishu

May 07, 2012

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Documents found following Osama bin Laden's death in his hideout in Pakistan show strained relations between al-Qaeda and al-Shabaab.

  • An al-Shabaab fighter holds his arms during military drills. Al-Shabaab leaders allowed its fighters to believe they were officially tied to al-Qaeda, even though Osama bin Laden was against public affiliation. [Abdurashid Abdulle/AFP]

    An al-Shabaab fighter holds his arms during military drills. Al-Shabaab leaders allowed its fighters to believe they were officially tied to al-Qaeda, even though Osama bin Laden was against public affiliation. [Abdurashid Abdulle/AFP]

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In a letter dated August 7th, 2010, the former al-Qaeda leader discouraged al-Shabaab leader Mukhtar Abu al-Zubayr, also known as Ahmed Godane, from openly declaring Somalia an Islamic emirate. Bin Laden advised al-Zubayr to keep co-ordination with al-Qaeda secret, and to refer to the relationship between the two groups as "a brotherly Islamic connection".

"If the matter becomes declared and out in the open, your enemies will increase and mobilise against you; this is what happened to the brothers in Iraq and Algeria," bin Laden wrote.

Bin Laden also said an open relationship with al-Qaeda would discourage Arab merchants from aiding Somalis and would strain the relationship between the militants and the Somali people.

Ahmed Sheikh Hussein, a political analyst and expert on Islamist movements in Somalia, said the letter shows a splintering between the two groups.

"These documents draw a picture that bin Laden was not enamoured with al-Shabaab and they also reveal the strained relations between al-Shabaab and al-Qaeda during bin Laden's time with regard to al-Shabaab joining al-Qaeda," he said.

Hussein said bin Laden had been unenthusiastic about al-Shabaab, even when the group swore its allegiance to him in 2009. "This may have been because of his belief that al-Shabaab's performance was lacking and that it was too strict in enforcing Sharia law, not to mention the increasing internal divisions within its ranks," he told Sabahi.

Local media reports at the time hinted that al-Shabaab was on the verge of declaring an Islamic emirate in Somalia, despite bin Laden's guidance. "In December 2010, al-Shabaab was close to changing its name to 'The Islamic Emirate in Somalia' after a secret meeting among the leaders of the group in the Somali city of Merca to discuss the future of al-Shabaab," Hussein said.

He said the two groups were in constant communication through al-Shabaab members who had direct relations with al-Qaeda's central command or through al-Qaeda messengers based in Somalia.

"Despite this tension between the two sides, al-Shabaab received advice and training from members of al-Qaeda and tended to consider itself an ally of al-Qaeda instead of a branch of the main organisation," Hussein said.

Al-Shabaab leaders hid rejection from their fighters

Al-Shabaab leaders lobbied bin Laden to change his position and hid the rejection from their fighters, said Abdirahman Abdullahi, a researcher in al-Shabaab affairs at the Somali Media Services Centre.

"Although al-Shabaab leaders -- or some of them, at least -- knew about bin Laden's position, when it came to his rejection of making the relationship public…they gave their fighters the impression that relations with al-Qaeda were fine and that they were al-Qaeda's arm in the Horn of Africa," Abdullahi told Sabahi. "They did this to maintain morale among fighters who considered bin Laden their role model and spiritual leader in matters related to jihad."

"For this reason, al-Shabaab leaders insisted that their supreme leader was Osama bin Laden and they would release recordings and speeches titled, 'We heed your call, Osama', 'We are at your service, Osama', 'We are your followers in the Horn of Africa', and similar material," he said.

Bin Laden's rejection created divisions

Bin Laden's rejection caused a rift between al-Shabaab's leaders, political analyst and university professor Mohammed Ahmed told Sabahi.

"It seems that bin Laden's rejection of al-Shabaab's request to join al-Qaeda caused resentment among [some of] the group's leaders," Ahmed said. "They viewed this as al-Qaeda's leader being unenthusiastic to accept al-Shabaab's membership, thus rendering it useless to promote al-Qaeda's ideology."

"For this reason, al-Shabaab's leaders split into two camps: the first was radical and called for joining al-Qaeda in a way that suited its leader, and the second refused to deal with al-Qaeda as long as its leader rejected the official affiliation between the two sides," he said.

Ahmed said these internal divisions remained until bin Laden was killed, giving al-Shabaab an opportune time to join al-Qaeda, as the new leader of al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, no longer followed the path of his predecessor concerning al-Qaeda affiliates.

A letter believed to be written by al-Zawahiri in December 2010 and released with the letter from bin Laden, urged bin Laden to reconsider his position regarding the merger with al-Shabaab because "there is no use of denying it".

Al-Zawahiri officially announced al-Shabaab's merger with al-Qaeda in February 2012. The merger is believed to have brought much division within the ranks of al-Shabaab, including open dissent and loss of public support following operations targeting civilians.

Bin Laden letter will frustrate al-Shabaab militants

The release of bin Laden's letter will further frustrate al-Shabaab's lower command and recruits, Ahmed said.

"On the one hand, militants will wonder why their higher leadership would reinforce their affiliation with bin Laden, when he himself was not enthusiastic about the idea of the two groups officially joining forces," he said. "On the other hand, al-Shabaab's senior leadership may resort to placating their fighters by saying these documents are forged and are part of a propaganda plan hatched by enemies of jihadists as a way of sowing confusion within their ranks."

"Despite the nature of relations between the two groups, al-Shabaab has officially become an affiliate of al-Qaeda," he said. "The inclusion of al-Shabaab under the al-Qaeda umbrella may be an attempt to raise morale, because this move came at a time when al-Shabaab was witnessing huge defeats and setbacks as a result of the regional military campaign against it."

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Reader's Comments

  • abdiqadir isgow
    July 17, 2012 @ 08:18:05AM

    We have seen that the Al-Qaida is targeting innocent civilian in the Middle Eastern countries, many people are wondering why this group has switched from fighting the armed government to innocent civilians. Their action can be attributed to different factors that might have happened since Bin laden death. The group has lost its major funding and now they are targeting civilians who are well off and asking for a ransom. The group is getting desperate because they lack money and the only place they can get is by abducting wealthy civilians. Another set of civilian that the Al-Qaeda is targeting are the high ranking peace officials, this is not necessary their target they are hired by some wealthy officials who do not the peace talks to take place.in short the group has turned to mercenaries and common thugs working for their selfish needs and the civilian are on the receiving end.

  • yaser hussein mazi
    July 12, 2012 @ 04:55:11AM

    Just like any other terrorist group, whenever you kill a leader belonging to any group, the group loses control and starts to break up. This was the mind plan in the minds of the Americans, as they knew that once they had killed the mastermind in the al-Qaida, then it would have been easier for the group to come tumbling down. The other reason why the killing of the leader brought in some light towards putting an end to the al-Qaida was because; the al-Qaida took direct orders from him. This meant that as long as Osama bin laden was alive, then he would have continued to administer direction and loopholes on where to bomb.

  • snichchisky
    July 3, 2012 @ 09:49:40AM

    al shaabab should give up in fighting coz the Kenya government have it.its already too late for them to fight.The many the soldiers the better.

  • John
    July 2, 2012 @ 09:41:29AM

    The comments i have read in relation to Somali people and the Al shabaab depict the two in an untrue context. Firstly, i am a Kenyan, and for the past decade or so, i have co-existed with the somali people in a peaceful, loving manner. These are civilised people, peace loving and uphold human life like any other person worldwide.Their religion (Islamic) uphold these values too. The Al shabaab are just a bunch of criminals who have hidden behind deceptive teachings and upheld them as the true Islamic teaching, which is not true! No religion teaches to shun, even destroy another human life to the extend when ones' are in worship of our God, the life giver! Al Shabaab, you will not win. Stop your inhuman acts or the almighty God will stop you.

  • ALLAH IS ONE AND MOHAMED IS MESSENGER OF ALLAH
    June 19, 2012 @ 07:11:35PM

    ALL SOMALI PEOPLE THEY ARE NOT TERRERIST.............

  • Mikhail
    June 18, 2012 @ 09:18:39AM

    OSAMA bin Laden was a tactician to some extend, because the bigger the number of groups and fighters,the more signature they leave behind, double agents not withstanding. I do not want engage in matters regarding religion, however, the term JIHAD in its Islamic context is miused completed. Islam is a religion of peace and ALLAH is not your weak brother or kin that you want to offer Him a helping hand. Islam does not tolerate violence of any kind, leave a lone innocent lives being lost. All these groups are gangsters by design hiding in religion and ignorance of the believers. It is a business of a few individuals who in my view are extremists and taking advantage of the turmoil in Muslims states. If ISLAM is a true religion of PEACE,then there should be no violence and un necessary deaths. The so called Islamic states should set an example as peace loving nations based on Islamic principles and their pillars. ASALAM- ALEIKUM!

  • Newton
    June 18, 2012 @ 02:48:30AM

    I totally do agree with Bishar Hajji concerning Cathereen's view of Somali community. It beats logic to imagine that in this era a fellow human being can call a whole community foolish and uncouth. How would she feel if a mistake of one individual or some group will be charged on her community and then we call the community fools, gangs and unwanted! be your brother's keeper.Lets be careful about what we say

  • kepher ondere
    June 17, 2012 @ 01:53:02PM

    let the Somali people fight for their nation and join the rest of the world in improving their own lives. time is out for extremist groups and be in the front line of improving their economy and not to pose tendencies of regional instability.

  • Jonas
    May 24, 2012 @ 03:15:17AM

    I’m Tanzanian. I have lived for many years without having to witness the shedding of human blood by another fellow human for sheer pleasure. Otherwise, the blood that continues to be shed is through motor vehicle accidents such as cars, motorcycles and trains. Indeed my Somali brothers you are shedding your father's blood, then your mother's blood, then your sibling's blood, and that not being enough, you are causing the shedding of your children's blood. I do not believe that Islamic religion allows such acts. No! No way! I beg for Somali citizens in Somalia to fight arm in arm with your government to confront those who call themselves al-Shabaab and to not be afraid of them as they are just people like you. The way to fight them is very simple and it does not require firearms to fight them; HERE IN TANZANIA WE HAVE 1 WEAPON TO FIGHT ENEMIES LIKE THEM, This weapon is “Let every person be his neighbour's keeper”. What does this mean? If you know that your neighbor is a member of al-Shabaab, drag yourself/go quietly to the legal/state (Police) and name that person, his movements and behaviours and give the police his address, his telephone number and even his email address if possible together with any security information. You do not have to be sure that the person is a member of al-Shabaab, no! You just have to observe that his movements are strange for instance he carries out his activities in secret, he has money from inexplicable sources, he does not have a profession that is understandable and explicable. You Somali Father, Mother, Brother, Sister, use this method to destroy not just Al-Shabaab but other such groups and people as well. BE EACH OTHER’S POLICE  

  • Bishar haaji
    May 15, 2012 @ 09:53:06PM

    @Cathryn I am surprised your comment is published despite the disgusting view you have about Somalis, it is not secret and i would not hesitate to call you an ignorant racist. Judging Somalia for what it is going through last two decades is logical fallacy, there was once a beautiful,strong, and prosperous Somalia that championed for the freedom and liberty of many African countries from the ANC to Angola. I am Somali and I have a dream of terrorist-free Somalia yes I am secularist. Al Shabab are just as ignorant as their leader, a wise man once said a blind man can not lead a blind man, the late terrorist Ousama was blind man, he was freedom blind, peace blind, human rights blind, so are Al-Shabab, so what you see in this article is the communication between two remorseless and bloody terrorists, and I am suprised you complement for one terrorist organization like Al kaeda for not joining an other unmerciful terrorist network Al-Shabab because you think the later is ignorant and I agree with you but both are ignorant and inhuman, but generalizing al shabab as the Somalis is just not approperiate because these terrorist restricted our freedom, killed us, and causing regional instability. so i want you take on more civic and humanly opinion and say i share the dream of better Somalia, and this nation of poets as it is know will stand up again on it is feet out anthem is when we get older we will be stronger they will call us freedom just like a waving flag!>

  • Mr. ileeye
    May 13, 2012 @ 02:49:58AM

    We should shun the killing of people who are not armed. We were warned by God against shedding the blood of innocent people.

  • Fanah ali
    May 12, 2012 @ 07:06:32AM

    I would say there has been a little change in tactic of the terrorist group al Qaeda since Osama bin laden death. There has been a shift in leader shift in leadership but the group has deviated from what they used to do before. They have been subdivided into smaller groups with personal interest and vendetta to accomplish. They are not fighting the once popular holy war now they have become thugs who are out to enrich themselves. The Al Qaeda terrorists have are now abducting the rich and the famous then asking for very high price. The groups is also acting as mercenary for hire and used to carry out assassination all they need is money. So I would say the tactics have changed since bin laden death but the group is still an international menace.

  • Bearth
    May 11, 2012 @ 09:22:38AM

    They are fighting for their self destruction and only time will tell. No religion allows for killing of fellow human being. They are bound to perish unless they see the light.

  • Jm
    May 9, 2012 @ 10:19:21AM

    why are they commiting a whole nation into a rough group which surpose to fight foreigners and not their fellow countrymen.Was it for money.Hope Somalis can now see for themselves.

  • Mohammed
    May 9, 2012 @ 02:58:35AM

    Alshabaab is Dead..KDF and EDF continue killing them!!!

  • cathrynnozickbmxs
    May 8, 2012 @ 04:55:23AM

    The Arabs are civilized (Wastarabu) whilst the Somalis are ill -discplined ,uncouth and generally most foolishly disorganized community... it is very clear that the mainstream jihadist will avoid assosiating with confused crude elements like the somalis. This is to say the al-shaabab is no jihadist group but a blood thirsty gang of drug addicted islamist criminal gang, indulging in rape,extotion and mayhem against its own woman,boys and elderly. The international community should allow somalis to settle in their countries , they must be deported ,denied citinzenship and pushed back to the hot dusty country of theirs so that these thugs will safocate themselve in their own criminal activity , now that this bad people have chose to adopt an ideology of believing themselves as somali emirates ... please Somalis ..go sing to the wind !

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